Second annual NewCo Cincinnati expands with more host companies and programs

NewCo Cincinnati, the inside-out international innovation conference, returns July 21 for a second year, with even more host companies and new options for attendees.

“NewCo really demonstrates how strong the business community is here in Cincinnati,” says Patrick Venturella, content marketing specialist at Cintrifuse, which organizes the local event as an affiliate partner of NewCo. “Last year we had more host companies than Austin, and even out-trended Sharknado 3 on Twitter. This year, we have 95 host companies from all over the region.”

Rather than gather as a group in one central location, participants visit host companies to learn about their innovation breakthroughs. The day is broken into six 45-minute sessions with multiple programs happening in each time slot, and none of the sessions repeat.

Based on feedback from last year’s inaugural event, NewCo has added extra time between sessions so attendees can get from one area to another in time for programs that are spread across Greater Cincinnati.

“Host companies invite people into their offices to talk about their work, show off their products, and tell their stories,” says Cindy Edington, volunteer on the NewCo Cincinnati committee. “NewCo is a cross-industry, cross-region event offering many opportunities to connect and network.”

NewCo Cincinnati host companies include startups, Fortune 500s, nonprofits and manufacturing, each offering a wide array of facilities and industries to explore. The Brandery, which just announced its new class, will be hosting, along with other startup stalwarts such as LISNR, Bad Girl Ventures and Ocean. ArtWorks, Elementz and ArtsWave will add a dash of Cincinnati culture, and foodies are represented by Findlay Kitchen, Grateful Grahams and Sundry and Vice.

“NewCo offers a great opportunity to put smaller startups and organizations on the national map,” Edington says. “First Batch was just featured in the NewCo newsletter, and since we’re part of an international festival that can do a lot to raise profiles and foster innovation.”

Venturella says that NewCo is great for job seekers, business development, marketers, design agencies or anyone interested in engaging with the startup ecosystem or who is looking for inspiration, clients or connections.

“It’s really a mindshare across the business community and for people who are passionate about Cincinnati,” he says. “There are opportunities across all industries for takeaway lessons to help your business.”

To facilitate the mindshare and engagement as well as make schedule planning a little bit easier, NewCo has sorted the sessions into themed tracks. The 95 host companies are broken out into Accelerators and Incubators; Breweries and Distilleries; Creative, Diversity and Inclusion; Economic Development; Makers; and Nonprofit. For those who don’t want to change locations, Union Hall will feature a day of sessions in the #StartupCincy headquarters in Over-the-Rhine.

“Diversity of ideas, experience, and people is important both personally and professionally,” Venturella says. “The Diversity and Inclusion track highlights businesses owned and operated by women and minorities, as well as some of the organizations that help those businesses succeed. Festival participants in this track will hear new ideas and continue the discussion on how we ensure everyone in the region has opportunities to prosper."

NewCo Cincinnati wraps up with a happy hour at Anderson Pavilion, which overlooks Smale Riverfront Park. Attendees must register for the happy hour in their NewCo schedule in order to attend.

Session speakers and topics are being added daily to the 2016 NewCo Cincinnati schedule. Registration is $20 for general admission, $10 for students, and $100 for VIP access, which includes a special reception July 20 at The Transept. Group tickets are also available this year.

After Cincinnati, NewCo conferences are scheduled throughout the remainder of 2016 in Austin, Toronto, San Francisco, Istanbul, Barcelona, Los Angeles and Mexico City.

“NewCo is building on the momentum of the startup ecosystem,” Venturella says. “We’re out there letting people know not only that Cincinnati has a strong and cohesive startup ecosystem, but that these companies are doing new and innovative things that can change the way we live. It’s all part of Cincinnati redefining itself and deciding what kind of city we want to be in the 21st Century.”

Julie Carpenter is a jack-of-all-trades with a background in cultural heritage tourism, museums and nonprofit organizations. She's a bit obsessed with the built environment and irregularly shares her musings on architecture, urban planning and city life on Facebook and Twitter (@StrawStickBrick).